canada

Students across Canada can now learn coding and computational skills, while also developing their knowledge of the Ojibwe language through a new version of MicroWorlds JR. The software encourages children from pre-readers to grade 4 to learn how to code without requiring reading comprehension. The program uses simple point-and-click operations, “child-friendly” symbols, and audio directions that are now accessible in Ojibwe. LCSI, the developers of the MicroWorlds line, and non-profit TakingITGlobal collaborated with Jason Jones, Ojibwe language coordinator at the Rainy River District School Board in Fort Frances, Ontario, to get the most accurate translations. Jones consulted community experts and elders for the program, including his grandmother Nancy Jones, who provided the audio recordings. MicroWorlds JR is a part of TakingITGlobal and LCSI’s Code to Learn Initiative funded by CanCode. The initiative has reached over 50,000 Canadian students to date. “This … [Read more...] about New government supported software teaches kids to code in Ojibwe

U.S.-based ride-sharing giant Uber is reportedly investigating two Instagram videos that showed inappropriate contact between drivers and passengers. The two videos were posted to the ‘6ixbuzztv’ Instagram page, an entertainment source that describes itself as “#1 in [Canadian] Entertainment.” According to CBC News, one video reportedly showed what appeared to be a woman Uber passenger dancing and singing before an Uber driver reached into the back seat to spank the dancing passenger. CBC News reported that the video was removed by 6ixbuzztv after Uber launched an investigation. A separate video, posted in October 2018, allegedly showed a woman sitting in the passenger leaning over and kissing an Uber driver on the lips. CBC News reported that both incidents allegedly took place in London, and each video garnered over 300,000 views. MobileSyrup does not have access to the 6ixbuzztv page, as it’s a private account, and was unable to verify the footage. An … [Read more...] about Uber reportedly investigating Instagram videos showing inappropriate contact between drivers, passengers

Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government wouldn’t be “deterred” in deciding whether to ban Huawei from supplying 5G networking equipment to Canada’s carriers. On January 18th, 2019, Goodale told reporters during a cabinet retreat in Sherbrooke, Quebec that the government continues to look into the security implications and technical standards that relate to the deployment of 5G networks in Canada. “The process is obviously ongoing, we are examining the security issues as well as the technical issues with a great deal of care. We’ve made it abundantly clear that we will not compromise national security,” Goodale told reporters. According to anonymously cited sources in a January 18th, 2019 article by Bloomberg, Canada’s security agencies continue to investigate potential security vulnerabilities related to Huawei’s equipment. The sources were not allowed to go in-depth with details on … [Read more...] about Federal government says it’s considering Huawei 5G situation with “great deal of care”

Canada’s most popular sports channel is tossing a curveball with its new daily streaming service option. TSN plans to launch the service before the upcoming March Madness U.S. college basketball tournament. That said, the launch date isn’t specifically confirmed yet. The new day pass costs $4.99 CAD and gives users access to TSN’s livestreaming sports platform. Currently, you can watch TSN on mobile devices, desktop, Xbox One, Samsung smart TVs, and Apple TV, with more devices coming soon, according to Bell Media’s press release. This effectively works more like renting a movie or paying to watch a specific game through HBO’s Pay-per-view. “Our viewers have asked for more options when it comes to accessing high-quality streaming coverage of the biggest moments in sports, and we’re proud to deliver that with Canada’s first single-day subscription,” reads a recent press release about the new 24-hour membership. This is a … [Read more...] about TSN offering new 24-hour streaming memberships for $4.99

Shaw Communications is set to increase internet and television rate plan prices sometime around April 2019, according to the company’s 2019 annual general meeting media call. President and CEO Brad Shaw confirmed the increase during the January 17th, 2019 call, but didn’t provide estimated figures, saying that he didn’t “have that number right in front of me.” “Yes, there will be an annual increase,” said Shaw, in response to a question from the Canadian Press. … [Read more...] about Shaw to increase internet, television prices around April 2019